Martinez: Making Wenger “very worried” has been one of the highlights of my Everton time
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that none of his star players will be leaving in this transfer window, despite speculation linking some of them with moves away from Goodison Park.
Ross Barkley and Leighton Baines are two of the standout performers for the Toffees in their fantastic start to the season, with Manchester United and former manager David Moyes reportedly lining up sizeable bids for the pair, But Martinez has moved to quash talk of his squad being dismantled, claiming there will be no high-profile exits from the club in January.
The Everton manager told reporters, “We’ve attracted a lot of attention with the performances of our players, but I can tell everybody that you can be very, very assured that we are not going to lose any of the top performers that we have this season.
“That for me is the priority – not to lose any of the dynamics.
“Maybe we’ll bring in one or two very specific players that are going to help the ones we have. But we are not going to lose any of our top performers.
“I still think we are one of the unique football clubs around world football, being able to maintain the tradition, being able to have that history behind us and now I’m really excited when I look at the dressing room we have.
“I am hoping we can fulfil the potential we have. That’s exactly what Everton needs in the second half of the season.”
Furthermore, the former Wigan boss explained he’s already great moments at Everton and suggested his highlight was in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in December.
‘The first 40 minutes at the Emirates, that was the proudest moment as Everton manager to be able to play in the manner that we played.
‘To be able to look around and see Arsene Wenger looking very worried, that was a great feeling,’ he laughed.
Everton currently sit in fifth position in the Premier League table, with just one point separating them from fourth-placed local rivals Liverpool and seven off of Arsenal in top spot.
How important are Baines and Barkley to the Toffees’ cause?
Ross Barkley has completed a whopping 53 take-ons this season at a success rate of 66%, while he has helped carve out 19 chances for teammates in his 19 appearances, on top of the three goals he has scored himself.
Ross Barkley Duels This Season
Baines has also netted three goals from the left-back position and created 18 chances in his 14 appearances, while defensively he has won 65% of his tackles and completed 88% of his passes.